My Brother’s Keeper Task Force Issues Report to the President

In a report released on Friday, the ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ task force issued dozens of recommendations to federal agencies as well as public and private entities on how to effectively address persisting opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color in the United States.

The report was a 90-day progress update on the initiative, which unites the administration with cities and towns, businesses, and foundations to connect young people of color to the support they need.

The task force’s recommendations center on ensuring boys of color enter school ready to learn, read at grade level by third grade, graduate from high school ready for college and careers, complete postsecondary education or training, and successfully transition into the workforce. Another key area of concern highlighted in the report is reducing violence and providing a second chance to those who need it.

In a statement following the report’s release on Friday, Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, emphasized the coast-to-coast importance of the report.

“Expanding opportunity and improving the life outcomes for youth of color and boys and young men of color in particular, is not only a concern for minorities, but for the entire nation. As [Friday]’s report points out, Black and Hispanic boys and young men continue to lag behind their white peers’ educational outcomes and employment,” Henderson said. “They’re disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system and, while only 6 percent of the population, make up 43 percent of all murder victims. While the report highlights the unique challenges of black men and boys of color, it also recognizes the structural barriers that all youth of color face in society. We cannot expect our country or communities to prosper if this reality persists.”